Hexamethylbenzene

Chemical properties

white to light yellow crystalline powder or

The Uses of Hexamethylbenzene

Hexamethylbenzene is used as pharmaceutical intermediates, in organic synthesis of compounds, as a solvent for He-NMR spectroscopy. Used as a ligand in organometallic chemistry. Reaction with dimethyldioxirane, gives the major product, an unusual oxepane triepoxide.

Definition

ChEBI: A methylbenzene that is benzene in which all six hydrogens have been replaced by methyl groups.

General Description

Hexamethylbenzene (HMB) is a methyl benzene derivative. Its overtone spectra in carbon tetrachloride solution shows doublet structure due to two types of configurationally inequivalent hydrogens. The heat of solution of crystalline HMB has been obtained at 25°C from which the heat of fusion has been deduced by extrapolation process. The internal motion of the methyl groups has been explained by empirical force field calculations. Polarized Raman spectra of HMB at room temperature have been analyzed.

Hazard

Combustible.

Purification Methods

Sublime hexamethylbenzene, then crystallise it from abolute EtOH, *benzene, EtOH/*benzene or EtOH/cyclohexane. It has also been purified by zone melting. Dry it in a vacuum over P2O5. [Beilstein 5 H 450, 5 IV 1137.]